# NTSB LAX81FVW16: Erco 415-D, N99848, Indian Springs, NV, August 17, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: August 17, 1981
- Place: Indian Springs, NV · INDIAN SPRINGS, NV
- Location: 36.5718° N, 115.7203° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Indian Springs, NV, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5718&lon=-115.7203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 8, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 125121
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FVW16
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FVW16

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1792  81/8/17  NR.INDIAN SPRINGS,NV  ERCO 415-D          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 53, 133
        TIME - 1313                    N99848              PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  TOTAL HOURS, 125 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NELLIS AFB
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         INDIAN SPRINGS,NV            N.LAS VEGAS,NV
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MISCALCULATED FUEL CONSUMPTION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- UN TO PURCHASE AVN FUEL AT 3 ENROUTE ARPTS.LNDD ON DESERT TRRN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99848](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99848-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 2471, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 415-D
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Nellis Afb

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19810817050119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810817050119A), Aug 17, 1981: Univar 415D, Indian Springs, NV, Minor damage. Pilot unable to obtain fuel at 2 airports, calculated he could make another airport. He didn't.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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